Device for promoting greater safety in connection with the use of bathtubs



Dec. 8, 1936. zlNKlL 2,063,864

DEVICE FOR PROMOTING GREATER SAFETY IN CONNECTION WITH THE USE OF BATHTUBS Original Filed Oct. 1, 1934 ing grab rod is shown 3 and makes Patented Dec. 8, 1936 UNITED STATES OFFME BATHTUBS Roy H. Zinkil, Oak Park, Ill, assignor to Crane (30., Chicago,

111., a corporation oi Illinois Refiled for abandoned application Serial No.

746,324, October 1, 1934.

This application April 13, 1936, Serial No. 74,159

6 Claims.

More particularly, the invention disclosed herein is useful in carrying out a method of providing a substantially vertically positioned grab rod for use with bathtubs similar to and supplemental to that described in my patent application, Serial No. 746,324, filed October 1, 1934.

Heretofor-e, where grab rods have been used to assist a person in getting in and out of a tub they have ordinarily been installed upon the wall of a room in proximity to the tub or other bathing fixture. This method of installation has been objectionable from the standpoint of most convenience or safety to the user, inasmuch as the rod was generally too far removed, and not handy in the event of an emergency arising.

For example, when the grab rods installed on a wall have been used in the past in connection with shower curtains it has been very difiicult to insure adequate safety because in most instances the wall grab rod was not within convenient reach of the b ather, being located at either end of the tub, with the result that falls within a wet and slippery tub were not absolutely prevented. In this connection, while a straight vertical extendherein it is understood, may be bent or turned to as would best adapt itself regard to the users safety may be provided with hanconvenient grips and the of course, that the rod such a shape or form to the installation with and convenience, and dles, cross members, like.

Another important object is to provide a rod which eliminates the necessity of the person bending over while getting into the tub, since the 5 rod is vertically installed, and the persons grip person changes in entering the tub or leaving it, it adaptable or convenient for persons of either tall or short statures.

Other advantages will be apparent by reference to the drawing, in which Fig. 1 is a sectional assembly view showing an embodiment of my invention in which the grab rod is installed between the basin proper of the tub and the apron, and in which the rod projects through an opening in the rim of the tub.

Fig. 2 is a reduced exterior view showing one form of grab rod installed on a conventional bathtub and illustrating more clearly the relation thereto, considering proportions and method of installation. This view also shows that the grab rod is preferably free at its upper end.

Directing attention to Fig. 1, the bathtub I,

which is referred to as the built-in type, is provided with the apron la and supporting legs or supports 2 preferably positioned at the lower portion of the tub basin 3, the legs erably being in alignment with the lower portion of the apron or level with the floor line, as indicated at 4.

The tub leg or support 2 is preferably drilled to accommodate the steel U-plate 5 with a bolt hole 6 for the bolt 7 and the nut 8. A similar bolt 9 and nut H are attached to the tub apron Ea by means of the bolt hole l2 and attached in the same manner to the plate 5.

Of course, any other means of attaching the plate 5 to the tub basin 3 and apron la may be used in the place of the bolts 7 and 9, as for example, by means of welding, brazing, or using a threaded connection.

The exposed part of the grab rod l3 projects through an escutcheon M, the latter resting upon the tub rim lb, as indicated. The lower portion of the grab rod 83 is preferably tapped for the threaded connection I5 connected to a coupling rod I6 making connections by means of the locknut l? and the inserted washer l8.

At the lower end of the extension rod [6 and preferably threadedly attached thereto by means of the threads I9, is the preferably metal extension rod 2| extending substantially the full height of the apron l a and to which is arranged to be attached to the plate 5, preferably just above the floor line l, by means of, the threads 22, the locknuts 23 and E l providing for the connecting means so as to firmly hold the rod 2| within the plate 5.

It is thus apparent that a convenient and relatively economical means has been devised for installing a grab rod in connection with a bathtub of the character described.

It is further evident that my invention is susceptible to numerous practical modifications without departing from the spirit of my invention, and I desire therefore to be limited only to the extent of the claims appended hereto;

I claim:

1. In combination with a bath receptacle, a vertically extending grab rod, said receptacle having means at its upper portion for guiding and supporting said grab rod, means at the lower portion of said receptacle for fixedly holding said grab rod with relation thereto, said holding means being concealed within said receptacle.

2. In combination with a bath receptacle, said receptacle having a hollow apertured rim and an upwardly extending apron, a vertically positioned or supports pref grab rod extending through said aperture, the lower portion of said receptacle having means for fixedly holding said grab rod with respect to said rim, and guide and supporting means superposed upon said rim for holding said rod axially with relation to said aperture.

3. In a bath receptacle having a rim at its upper portion, an apron extending substantially the full depth of said receptacle, a vertically positioned grab rod extending through an aperture within said rim, means for fixedly holding said grab rod with relation to said rim, said latter means being concealed within said apron.

4. In a bath receptacle having a rim at its upper portion, an apron extending substantially the full depth of said receptacle, a vertically positioned grab rod extending through an aperture within said rim, means for fixedly holding said grab rod with relation to said rim, said latter means being concealed within said apron, said grab rod being provided with an escutcheon superposed upon said rim and around said aperture.

5. In a bath receptacle having an apertured rim at its upper portion, an apron therefor, a grab rod consisting of a plurality of sections, attaching means for said grab rod connected to said apron, one of. said sections being fixedly connected to said attaching means within said apron, another section of said rod being guided through the said rim aperture, and a connection therebetween.

6. In combination with a bath receptacle, a vertically extending grab rod, an apron extending substantially the full depth of the said receptacle, legs supporting said receptacle, the said receptacle having means at its upper portion for guiding and supporting the said grab rod, means at the lower portion of said receptacle for fixedly holding said grab rod with relation thereto, the said holding means being concealed within the said apron and comprising means for anchoring to the respective legs and apron of the said receptacle.

ROY H. ZINKlL. 

